Does drinking water improve erectile dysfunction? Erectile dysfunction or ED is a common concern for men. Everyday factors, such as hydration levels, may affect a person's ability to get or maintain an erection. Drinking water may, therefore, help some men with ED. In this article, learn about the link between hydration and ED, and other factors that can cause ED. Read now

The key to all of this is the endothelium, the inner lining of blood vessels that helps blood flow smoothly. Regular exercise has been shown to improve the way the endothelium works. The endothelium lines the blood vessels in the heart and the penis, explains Dr. Hellstrom, but the blood vessels in the penis are about one-third the size of those in the heart. So if you fail to have erections due to vascular problems, that indicates that you’re at risk for heart problems as well.
Latest research studies highlighted that a daily dose of Vitamin B3 or Niacin brings a drastic improvement in the erectile function of men dealing with the problem of high cholesterol. This result reveals that about 80 men, who consumed Niacin and started the study with either moderate or severe level of erectile dysfunction highlighted a significant improvement in the ability of maintaining an erection.
Some medications that are changed by the liver include amitriptyline (Elavil), clozapine (Clozaril), codeine, desipramine (Norpramin), dextromethorphan, donepezil (Aricept), fentanyl (Duragesic), flecainide (Tambocor), fluoxetine (Prozac), meperidine (Demerol), methadone (Dolophine), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), olanzapine (Zyprexa), ondansetron (Zofran), tramadol (Ultram), trazodone (Desyrel), and others.
Some men say certain alternative medicines taken by mouth can help them get and maintain an erection. However, not all “natural” medicines or supplements are safe. Combinations of certain prescribed and alternative medicines could cause major health problems. To help ensure coordinated and safe care, discuss your use of alternative medicines, including use of vitamin and mineral supplements, with a health care professional. Also, never order a medicine online without talking with your doctor.

Overall, studies have been inconclusive about the aphrodisiac benefits of taking yohimbine supplements. However, most have found it works better than placebos. (7) According to a report published in the Iranian Journal of Psychiatry, a recent analysis of seven trials concluded that between 34–75 percent of men involved in studies experienced favorable results when taking between 5–10 milligrams. (8)

You've probably heard of the old saying "use it or lose it". Your sex muscles are just like any other muscles. If you're not using them regularly (masturbation doesn't count) they will lose size and strength. This commonly happens as you age. Considering most people judge a healthy sex life to be 3-5 times per week, that's not a lot of use for these important muscle groups. Therefore, it's best to exercise the muscles which support a healthy sex life so you can enjoy sex well into your 80's.
Obesity is a state of chronic oxidative stress and inflammation (38). The increased oxidative stress associated with obesity may increase free radical formation, which could quench and deactivate nitric oxide, reducing its availability for target cells. Weight loss programs with dietary modifications and increased physical activity may lead to reduced oxidative stress associated with improved nitric oxide availability (39). As impaired nitric oxide activity appears to play an important role in the pathogenesis of erectile dysfunction (40), improved nitric oxide availability associated with weight loss may be implicated in the amelioration of erectile function in our series of obese men. A reduced CRP level due to sustained lifestyle changes may have contributed to amelioration of erectile function after treatment. Levels of CRP correlate significantly with reduced nitric oxide availability (41) and increasing severity of penile vascular disease as measured by penile Doppler (42). Moreover, consistent findings support a predictive role of CRP and IL-6 for cardiovascular events in different populations (43), while IL-8 is a potent chemoattractant (44).
It's also important to remember that your mental health plays as much a part of your sexual ability as your physical health. Stress and other mental health concerns can cause or make erectile dysfunction worse. Minor health problems may slow your sexual response, but the accompanying anxiety that comes with the slow sexual response can shut things down entirely.
The researchers reasoned from other studies that when the degree of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis are more severe, the effects of niacin and statins as lipid-lowering agents are also more apparent. Their current study seemed to bear this out. Also, in another study assessing the effect of a PDE5 inhibitor in patients using a statin, patients with higher baseline serum LDL-C had better improvement in erectile function after the use of a PDE5 inhibitor. This supports the researchers’ hypothesis that patients with potentially more serious endothelial dysfunction, such as those with higher LDL-C levels, may have better response to the combination usage of a PDE5 inhibitor and niacin.

Oysters are also a great source of zinc, with just 3 ounces providing 493% of your recommended daily intake. In fact, oysters are so rich in zinc that eating too much can cause an accidental zinc overdose, so just be wary of this. Bear in mind as well that oysters are a common source of food poisoning, and they are also very high in cholesterol – might be best to stick to your nuts and seeds!

Yohimbe can interact with several drugs and medications, so it’s not safe for everybody to use. Don’t take yohimbe bark if you’re currently taking any ACE inhibitor drug, beta blocker, SSRI drug, MAOI, stimulants or caffeine-containing drugs, or tricyclic antidepressant drugs. Those who have any of the conditions listed below should not take herbal treatments like yohimbe without speaking with a doctor first. This is because it may affect things like blood pressure, heart health, kidney function and neurotransmitter functions:
To locate the muscles these exercises engage, try to stop and restart the flow of urine mid-stream. Just do this once, because if you do it too much it can affect the passage of urine. Once you’ve located these muscles, you can tighten and draw the muscles in, feeling them lift upward. Hold for a count of five, then release. It’s recommended that men do 8 to 10 repetitions, resting in between. Ideally, each series of 8 to 10 should be followed by 5 to 10 quick squeezes and releases, and men should work up to doing the whole process four or five times per day for best results.
"Erectile dysfunction can be a very serious issue because it's a marker of underlying cardiovascular disease, and it often occurs before heart conditions become apparent. Therefore, men should consider improving their weight and overall nutrition, exercise more, drink less alcohol and have a better night's sleep, as well as address risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol.

Just because a product claims to be natural doesn't mean it's safe. Many herbal remedies and dietary supplements can cause side effects and dangerous interactions when taken with certain medications. Talk to your doctor before you try an alternative treatment for erectile dysfunction — especially if you're taking medications or you have a chronic health problem such as heart disease or diabetes.

There’s no bedroom bummer quite like having to fly at half mast, but your penis problems are likely more common than you think: As many as 30 million American men suffer from erectile dysfunction, and one in four who seek treatment for ED are actually under the age of 40, according to a study in The Journal of Sexual Medicine. We all know there’s a little blue pill that can fix the failure to launch—but you don’t necessarily have to fill a ‘script to save your stiffy.
Sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil increase the amount of nitric oxide in your body. Your body contains nitric oxide naturally, which is a gas that relaxes blood vessels. Medications to treat erectile dysfunction relax blood vessels in a man’s penis to help obtain and maintain an erection. Some medications that treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease also relax your blood vessels. If you take niacin while you also take medications to treat erectile dysfunction, your blood pressure could drop drastically. You could faint or develop other health problems.
Participants in this study gradually increased their daily intake of niacin from 250 mg to 3,000 mg over 36 weeks. Nine of the 23 people who were taking immediate-release niacin withdrew from the study early because of facial flushing, fatigue, or skin discoloration. Eighteen of the 23 who were taking 3,000 mg daily of sustained-release niacin dropped out due to upset stomachs, fatigue, or abnormal liver function tests. All of these side effects disappeared once the participants stopped taking the vitamin. Additional cause for concern comes from other reports suggesting that high doses of sustained-release niacin can cause jaundice and liver failure.
The Institute of Medicine recommends cumulative daily vitamin D intake of 600 international units (IU) for adults between 18 and 70 years of age , and 800 IU for those over 80. A 3oz serving of salmon contains about 450IU, while an 8oz. glass of milk only has about 100IU. Low vitamin D levels may be an independent, potentially modifiable risk for ED, so it’s worth taking Vitamin D supplements for your “D.” However, keep your daily vitamin D supplement intake below 4,000IU, as too much vitamin D can be toxic.